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I wish you and your family Sukh-Shata during upcoming
Paryushan and Das Lakshana
Parv with each of us getting involved in prayers, fasting and cleansing our souls.

Master
Schedule of Paryusan and Das Lakshana Programs at various Jain Centers in North America is
available
at www.jaina.org

Links for
English Pratikaman and Paryushan meals in NY/NJ are provided below. JAINA will
recognise Tapasvis during Paryushan and Das Lakshah Parva in eNewsletter and at
www.jaina.org.

Congratulations and
Thanks for signing petition for Diwali Stamp in USA. As a result, Diwali Stamp will
be released on October 5, 2016 by U. S. Postal service – a major accomplishment for
Indo-Americans.

Sincerely,

Ashok Domadia
JAINA President
Chairman - JAINA BOD

GATHA FROM JIV VICHAR

The classification of living beings commences with the two major state of souls:

A. MUKTA : Refers to all living beings that are free from all karmic bandages, in
other words souls that have attained liberation and are free from the cycle of birth
and death. Mukta jiva are discussed ahead.
B. SANSARI: Refers to all living beings that are not free from the karmic bond ages
and are undergoing through the cycle of birth and death.

Quote of Month

There is no enemy outside soul. The real enemies live inside yourself: they are
anger, pride, greed, attachments and hate.

Paryushan/
Das Lakshana means, literally, "abiding" or "coming together". It is also a time
when the laity take on vows of study and fasting with a spiritual intensity similar
to temporary monasticism. Paryushan/ Das Lakshana concludes with a time of confession
and forgiveness for the transgressions of the previous year.

The reason behind this festival being called Parvadhiraj Paryushan/ Das Lakshana
is that amongst all Jain festivals, Paryushan/ Das Lakshana Parva is the king of
all festivals. This is one festival which takes our soul to higher levels and shows
us the path of salvation. When we say festival, we usually coincide with pomp, making
merry, and eating, but here this festival is one which is completely a journey of
one’s soul to its final goal of Moksh. Paryushan/ Das Lakshana is a time of reflection
on our actions of the past year. It is marked by strict observance of the ten cardinal
virtues: Forgiveness, Charity, Simplicity, Contentment, Truthfulness, Self-restraint,
Fasting, Detachment, Humility and Continence.

Paryushan/ Das Lakshana Parva can be compared to that of cleaning one’s dirt of
karmas by various ways like fasting, Penance, friendship and cleaning of one’s own
heart. The biggest motto of Paryushan/ Das Lakshana can be summed up in one word
FRIENDSHIP. The souls which are already aware about the merits and sins, can do
their duties, but those people who are still passionate towards worldly pleasures
become aware of new motivation.

Diwali stamp in USA

It's a great news for all of us that
the U.S. Postal Service announced that they will honor the Festival of Diwali with
a Forever Stamp. A dedication function will be held at Indian Embassy in New York
on October 5, 2016. Thanks to Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard for her leadership to
make it happen.

DAIRY PRODUCTS USE DURING PARYUSHAN / DAS LAKSHANA

Hopefully,
you're aware of the campaign to consider giving up dairy products over Paryushan.

The Jain Vegans Working Group has produced a 5-minute video presentation which explains
the reasons behind the campaign and why it is so relevant to the Jain community.

If you believe the video presentation contains an important message that makes sense,
please share and circulate it among your friends and family.

Anumodna during paryusan & Das Lakshana

JAINA will recognise Tapasvis by
publishing their name and City in eNewsletter and www.jaina.org.

Please email your Full Name, Adult/Youth, City and Number of Upvas at
jainahq@jaina.org by September 15 2016.

SpotLIGHT: JIVDAYA committee

The Jivdaya Committee requests your
support in taking care of animals. The impact of even a small donation makes a big
difference in the lives of these animals. Your generous donation of just $101 can
save one cow from the slaughterhouse or fed 75 animals for a day. Donation of $201
can provide food, shelter and medical care for one cow for a year.

PARYUSHAN
MEALS (NJ & NY)

JAIN RECIPES

If you reside
in New Jersey & New York, there is an accessibility to Jain Food during the
entire
Paryushan / Das Lakshan Parv.